Foreign Ministry: EU visa waiver will motivate Abkhazians, Ossetians to use Georgian passports

The Foreign Ministry of Georgia said that today’s adoption of the Schengen visa waiver for Georgia proves that the European Union (EU) considers Georgia a stable partner.

The Ministry also said that this decision will serve as an incentive for the Georgian Government to continue with reforms and development.

"[The visa waiver] will bring real results to Georgian citizens. Visa-free travel to the countries of the EU will help develop close touristic, educational and cultural and business relations between our societies”, the Ministry said.

The agency added that all benefits related to the visa waiver will also be available for those living in Georgia’s occupied regions.

"[This] will motivate them to use a Georgian passport”, the Ministry said.

The agency congratulated Georgian citizens on today’s historic event and asked them to act responsibly and fully follow the regulations set out under the provision for visa-free travel.

The EU announced today that a regulation lifting EU visa-requirements for Georgia has been adopted. This was the final approval for visa-free travel to the countries of the Schengen Zone and several other EU countries.